breach

1[countable,uncountable]breach of somethinga failure to do something that must be done by lawa breach of contract/copyright/warrantyThey are in breach of Article 119.(British English)(a) breach of the peace(= the crime of behaving in a noisy or violent way in public)Selling goods constituted a breach of regulation 10B.See related entries:Justice

2[countable,uncountable]breach of somethingan action that breaks an agreement to behave in a particular waya breach of confidence/trusta breach of security (= when something that is normally protected is no longer secure)

3[countable]a break in a relationship between people or countriesa breach in Franco-German relations

4[countable]an opening that is created during a military attack or by strong winds or seasThey escaped through a breach in the wire fence.A breach in the mountain wall permits warm sea air to penetrate inland.See related entries:Conflict

Word OriginMiddle English: from Old Frenchbreche, ultimately of Germanic origin; related to break.Extra examplesHe refused to shake hands, in deliberate breach of etiquette.He was sued for breach of contract.She left home following the breach with her family.Such actions constitute a breach of confidentiality.The court’s decision is in breach of the Convention.The court’s decision is in breach of the European Convention on human rights.What caused the breach between the two brothers?a minor breach of discipline(a) breach of the peaceShe stepped into the breach caused by Stella’s illness.The disagreement caused a serious breach in Franco-German relations.The mortars blew a large breach in the castle walls.This action is in breach of Article 119 of the Constitution.What had caused this sudden breach between father and son?a breach of confidence/​trusta breach of contract/​copyright/​warrantyIdioms